Electron gun positioning structure



Dec. 27, 1966 A. D. JOHNSON ELECTRON GUN POSITIONING STRUCTURE Filed July 14, 1964 INVENTOR 4/1 /20 131 Johnsan ATTORNEY United States Patent ELECTRON GUN POSITIONING STRUCTURE Alfred D. Johnson, Seneca Falls, N.Y., assignor to Sylvania Electric Products Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 14, 1964, Ser. No. 382,527 10 Claims. (Cl. 31382) This invention relates to electron discharge devices, and more particularly to nonresilient positioning means for interiorly locating the electron generating and controlling assembly in specific alignment therein.

Many of the present-day electron discharge devices, such as radio and cathode ray tubes, use resilient type positioners, or snub'bers, to center an electron generating and controlling assembly or gun, axially within an evacuated envelope. These conventional positioners are quite generally made of mica or metal having a certain degree of resiliency which compensates for manufacturing tolerances in envelope and gun parts.

In numerous applications, electron discharge devices are subject to severe shock and vibration operational conditions during normal usage. For example, a cathode ray tube of a type utilized in airborne equipment will be subjected to the severe environmental conditions just mentioned. Many of these cathode ray tubes for aerial applications have stringent electron gun-toenvelope alignment specifications to insure optimum performance. Tubes constructed with resilient .gun positioners experience a relative motion of the gun with respect to the envelope under shock conditions. As a consequence, specified alignment of the gun to the envelope is at least temporarily out of specification, or may be permanently misaligned so as to make the tube operationally instable or permanently inoperable.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to reduce the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide nonresilient shock and vibration resistant positioning means for use in electron discharge devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide adjustable nonresilient positioning means compensative for manufacturing tolerances in envelope and electron generating and controlling assembly parts.

The foregoing objects are achieved in one aspect of the invention by the provision of electron gun-to-envelope positioning means in which nonresilient positioners atlixed to the gun effect positive longitudinal contact with the inner surface of the envelope to provide desired gun-toenvelope alignment under severe shock and vibration 0perational conditions.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages, and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following discloseur and appended claims in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned plan view showing a typical electron discharge device utilizing one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectioned view showing the invention taken along line 22 of FIG. -1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspectives illustrating other embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a modified embodiment of support means.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a partial section of a typical electron discharge device in the form of a cathode ray tube 11 having an envelope neck portion 13 encompassing an electron gun assembly 15 for generating and controlling electrons and a plurality of positioning means 17 attached thereto for establishing and maintaining axial alignment of the assembly 15 within the neck 13.

3,295,000 Patented Dec. 27, 1966 In greater detail, the illustrated portion of gun assembly 15 shows an elongated terminal electrode 25- and an adjacent electrode 27 both of which are suitably supported by a plurality of insulative ceramic beads 29, two of which are shown. The substantially cylindrical terminal electrode 25 has spaced thereon and aifixed thereto a collar portion 30 having an integral outstanding support member 31 extending toward but spaced from the inner surface of the envelope 13. This outstanding support member 31 is suitably shaped for insertion intothe neck of the envelope and has a centrally formed aperture in the collar 30 dimensioned to provide afiixture of the terminal electrode 25 of the electron gun therein. Each positioning means 17 is comprised of a channelled contact member 19 having a substantially nonresilient L-shaped connecting member 21 attached thereto. The free portions or legs 22 of the several connecting members 21 are positioned and bonded in equispaced array about the outstanding support member 31 afiixed on the terminal electrode 25 in a manner to provide longitudinal contact between the contact members 19 and the inner wall 12 of the envelope 13. A jig, not shown, is utilized to adjust and position the connector legs 22 on the support member 31 to effect a no-movement axial alignment of gun 15 within envelope neck portion 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, the three positioning means 17 are in spaced array of substantially degrees apart as indicated by angle A. The longitudinal back edges 33 and 35 of each contact member 19 dually touch the inner wall 12 in two discrete longitudinal areas thereby providing six circumferential positioning contacts. More than three positioning means may be utilized if desired. Although not shown, it is evident that for small mounts in relatedly small dimensioned envelope necks, substantial support is effected by two positioning'means 17 diametrically oriented to afford four positioning contacts with the envelope.

In FIG. 1 there is also shown additional positioning means 17 which are located on a plane longitudinally removed from the support member 31 as on an outstanding support shelf 39 which is an integral part of the terminal electrode 25. This additional positioning is especially advantageous when long-gun structures are involved. In elongated mount structures several such support shelves with attached contact members can be advantageously utilized.

While support member 31 and support shelf 39 are shown and described as being oriented along terminal electrode 25, they are not intended to be restricted to such positioning. They may be employed singly or plurally elsewhere on the gun assembly to facilitate resultant alignment as may be desired.

Although not shown, a plurality of substantially L- shaped support brackets may be attached to the electron gun in a manner similar to the support shelf 39. These brackets are formed to accommodate individual positioning means 17.

With reference to FIG. 2, there is shown a section taken along line 22 of FIG. 1. The longitudinal back edges 33 and 35 of each of the channeled contact members 19 are in touching adjacency with the inner wall 12 of envelope neck portion 13. It is important that these back edges 33 and 35 be free of protrustions or sharpness. A substantial smoothness or roundness is desirable to avoid scratching or abrading the glas sof the envelope.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 3 wherein a second type of channelled contact member 41 is formed with substantially rounded longitudinal leading edges 43 and 45 touching the inner wall of the envelope portion 13. In this embodiment, an integral tab 47 is cut out and formed from the channelled member 41 as an outstanding connecting projection 49 to provide connecting means for adjustably positioning and afiixing the chan- -nelled member 41 to a suitable support such as outstanding support member 31 or support shelf 39.

Still another embodiment of the contact member is shown in FIG. 4 wherein a curved contact member 51 is formed with envelope contacting edges 53 and 55. A connecting member 21' is suitably affixed for support attachment as aforedescribed.

A modified embodiment of support means extended in a radial plane from the gun structure 15 is shown in FIG. 5. This planar support 59, While basically similar to either support member 31 or shelf support 39, has spaced connecting tabs 61 formed integral thereto and extended radially therefrom to provide integral connective means for the attachment of the connecting members 21, 22 or 49.

Thus, there have been described several embodiments 2 of an adjustable feature for aflixing the nonresilient connecting members 21, 21', and 47 to corresponding contact members 19, 41, and 51, respectively to insure optimum predetermined axial alignment within an envelope of a gun structure having parts representative of normal manufacturing variations. Additionally, the use of such nonresilient connecting members insures positive placement and continued axial alignment of the gun assembly '15 within the envelope neck portion 13 despite severe environmental and operational conditions of shock and vibration.

The materials suitable for use in constructing the several aforedescribed contact members 19, 41, and 51 and connecting members 21, 21', and 47 may be nickel, nickel alloys, stainless steels, or other materials well known for their conventional usage in electron discharge devices. Aflixing of the several members can be by spot welding techniques or other bonding means well known to those skilled in the art. Although the alignment of a cathode ray tube electron gun has been shown and described, it is the intent of the invention to include assemblies which produce and control rays, beams, sheets, or clouds of electrons in other types of electron discharge devices intended for like environmental conditions.

While there have been shown and described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, itwill be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electron discharge device having an evacuated envelope encompassing an assembly for generating and controlling electrons therein, nonresilient positioning means for said assembly comprising:

a plurality of spaced nonresilient positioners affixed by differential nonresilient connective means to said assembly and extended therefrom to contact the inner surface of said envelope to provide longitudinal alignment of said assembly in said envelope.

2. In an electron discharge device having an evacuated envelope with an integral neck section encompassing an electron gun therein, positioning means for said gun comprising:

a substantially outsanding support member extended from said gun structure and shaped for insertion within said neck section;

a plurality of nonresilient connecting members bonded in spaced array to said support member and extended therefrom toward the inner surface of said neck section; and

a plurality of contast members attached to said connecting members and having portions formed to touch said inner surface in discrete areas to provide alignment of said gun in said neck.

3. In an electron discharge device having an evacuated envelope with an integral neck section encompassing an electron gun therein, positioning means for said gun comprising:

a substantially wafer-shaper outstanding support member integral to said gun structure and diametrically smaller than the internal diameter of said neck section;

a plurality of nonresilient L-shaped connecting members bonded in spaced array to said support mem ber and extended therefrom toward the inner surface of said neck section; and

a plurality of channel-like contact members attached to said connecting members and having portions formed to touch said inner surface in discrete areas to provide alignment of said gun in said neck.

4. In a cathode ray tube having an evacuated envelope with an integral neck section encompassing an electron gun therein, positioning means for said gun comprising:

a substantially wafer-shaped support shelf being diametrically smaller than the internal diameter of said neck station and having a centrally formed aperture in the form of a collar dimensioned to provide aifixture of said electron gun therein;

at least three nonresilient L-shaped connecting members positioned and bonded in equispaced array to said support member and extended therefrom toward the inner surface of said neck section; and

at least three channel-like contact members attached to said connecting members and having portions formed to longitudinally touch said inner surface in discrete areas to provide alignment of said gun in said neck.

5. In an electron discharge device having an evacuated envelope with an integral neck section encompassing an electron gun therein, positioning means for said gun comprising:

a planar support extended in a radial plane from said gun structure, said support being diametrically smaller than the internal diameter of said neck section, said planar support having spaced connecting tabs formed integral thereto and extended radially therefrom;

a plurality of nonresilient connecting members bonded in spaced array to said connecting tabs and extended therefrom toward the inner surface of said neck section; and

a plurality of channel-like contact members attached to said connecting members and having portions formed to touch said inner surface in discrete areas to provide alignment of said gun in said neck.

6. In an electron discharge device having an evacuated envelope with an integral neck section encompassing an electron gun therein, positioning means for said gun comprising:

a plurality of nonresilient L-shaped connecting members bonded in spaced array to said electron gun and extended therefrom toward the inner surface of said neck section; and

a plurality of channel-like contact members attached to said connecting members, each of said contact members having longitudinal back edge portions formed to dually touch said inner surface in discrete areas to provide alignment of said gun in said neck.

7. In an electron discharge device having an evacuated envelope with an integral neck section encompassing an electron gun therein, positioning means for said gun comprising:

a plurality of nonresilient L-shaped connecting members bonded in spaced array to said electron gun and extended therefrom toward the iner surface of said neck section; and

a plurality of channel-like contact members attached to said connecting members, each of said contact members having longitudinal leading edge portions formed to dually touch said inner surface in discrete 5 areas to provide alignment of said gun in said neck.

8. In an electron discharge device having an evacuated envelope with an integral neck section encompassing an electron gun therein, positioning means for said gun comprising:

a plurality of nonresilient L-shaped connecting members bonded in spaced array to said electron gun and extended therefrom toward the inner surface of said neck section; and

a plurality of curved contact members attached to said connecting members, each of said contact members having longitudinal leading edge portions formed to dually touch said inner surface in discrete areas to provide alignment of said gun in said neck.

9. In an electron discharge device having an evacuated envelope with an integral neck section encompassing an electron gun therein, positioning means for said gun comprising:

a plurality of substantially L-shaped support brackets dimensioned for insertion Within said neck section, said support members spacedly ai'fixed to said electron gun;

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,859,366 11/1958 Squier 313256 X 2,877,370 3/1959 Hanson 31382 3,034,009 5/ 1962 Zunick et al. 313255 20 JOHN W. HUCKERT, Primary Examiner.

A. J. JAMES, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN AN ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE HAVING AN EVACUATED ENVELOPE ENCOMPASSING AN ASSEMBLY FOR GENERATING AND CONTROLLING ELECTRON THEREIN, NONRESILIENT POSITIONING MEANS FOR SAID ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF SPACED NONRESILIENT POSITIONERS AFFIXED BY DIFFERENTIAL NONRESILIENT CONNECTIVE MEANS TO SAID ASSEMBLY AND EXTENDED THEREFROM TO CONTACT THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID ENVELOPE TO PROVIDE LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT OF SAID ASSEMBLY IN SAID ENVELOPE. 